Is East Aurora Safe, Pros and cons of living in East Aurora
East Aurora, a charming village nestled in Erie County, New York, offers a blend of historic appeal and modern amenities. Known for its picturesque Main Street and strong sense of community, it provides a welcoming environment for residents. The village is part of the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area, benefiting from the proximity to a larger urban center while maintaining its distinct small-town character.
This community boasts a rich history, with roots stretching back to its founding in 1804. Over the years, East Aurora has preserved its heritage, evident in its well-maintained architecture and commitment to local businesses. The village’s dedication to maintaining its small-town values is a hallmark, as demonstrated by past efforts to block large chain retailers, aiming to support independent businesses and preserve the area’s unique charm.
Is it Safe to Live in East Aurora?
East Aurora is generally considered a safe place to live, with crime rates significantly below national and state averages. The village’s overall crime rate is approximately 7 per 1,000 residents, placing it near the average for American communities of all sizes but notably lower than many New York communities (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Your likelihood of being a victim of crime in East Aurora is about 1 in 146, according to analyses of FBI crime data.
Violent crime rates in East Aurora are substantially lower than the national average, with a rate of about 1 violent crime per 1,000 inhabitants (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Property crime rates, including burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft, are also reported to be within average ranges for the nation. The East Aurora-Aurora Town Police Department serves the area, and over a five-year period, reported crime statistics indicate rates well below national averages for both violent and property crimes (as reported by East Aurora-Aurora Town, NY Crime Statistics).
Cost of Living and Housing
The cost of living in East Aurora is reported to be slightly lower than the national average, with some expenses being more affordable than the average city in New York (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). Housing costs in East Aurora are noted as being more affordable than the U.S. average, though specific figures can fluctuate (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). However, other reports indicate housing expenses can be higher than the national average, with one source stating they are 99% higher, while another indicates a median home value of $313,349 (as reported by Payscale and Livability.com).
Rental costs in East Aurora are generally more affordable than the national average. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $1,001 per month, and for a two-bedroom, it is approximately $1,203 per month (as reported by Apartments.com). These figures suggest that renting in East Aurora can be more economically feasible than in many other U.S. cities. However, another source cites the average rent as $2,100, indicating a potential discrepancy in data sources or market segments (as reported by Trulia and Zillow).
Home Prices
The median listing price for homes in East Aurora is approximately $499,000, with a median price per square foot of $231 (as reported by realtor.com®). Recent data from Zillow indicates an average home value of $431,047, showing a 5.0% increase over the past year (as reported by Zillow). Redfin reports a median sale price that has seen a year-over-year decrease of 21.41%, with a median listing price of $499K (as reported by Redfin).
Market activity shows a moderate level of homes for sale, with around 33 active listings at one point (as reported by realtor.com®). Homes in East Aurora tend to sell relatively quickly, with an average of 20 days on the market for sellers, though this can vary significantly (as reported by realtor.com®). Recent sales data indicates a wide range of prices, from $144,200 to $587,100, reflecting diverse property types and conditions (as reported by Redfin).
Job Market and Economy
East Aurora’s economy is supported by a diverse range of industries, with educational services, healthcare and social assistance, and manufacturing being the most common employment sectors for its residents (as reported by Data USA). Management occupations, education, instruction, and library occupations, and office and administrative support occupations are the most prevalent job groups (as reported by Data USA).
Major employers in the area include prominent companies like Moog, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of motion and fluid controls for aerospace and defense industries, and Astronics, which provides advanced lighting and electrical power systems for the aerospace and defense sectors (as reported by Wikipedia). Fisher-Price, a well-known toy manufacturer, also has its corporate headquarters in East Aurora, contributing significantly to the local economy.
Employment and Salaries
The employment rate in East Aurora has seen growth, with a reported increase of 5.8% in employee numbers from one year to the next (as reported by Data USA). The average annual salary in East Aurora is approximately $66,661 per year, or $32 per hour (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert). Other sources indicate a slightly lower average annual salary of $61,000, or $29.33 per hour (as reported by Zippia).
The unemployment rate in East Aurora is reported to be 2.6% (as reported by Niche). This figure is generally favorable and suggests a healthy job market within the community.
Climate and Weather
East Aurora experiences a climate characterized by warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Temperatures throughout the year typically range from 14°F to 79°F, offering distinct seasonal variations (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The village receives an average of 42 inches of precipitation annually, which includes both rain and the liquid equivalent of snow, with an average of 113 inches of snowfall per year (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
Summers in East Aurora are generally warm and partly cloudy, with July being the hottest month, featuring average high temperatures around 78°F and lows around 58°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The winter months bring freezing temperatures and cloudy conditions, with February experiencing the lowest temperatures, averaging a high of 33°F and a low of 15°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
Schools and Education
East Aurora Union Free School District receives high ratings, with an overall Niche grade of A (as reported by Niche). The district serves approximately 1,771 students in grades PK-12, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1 (as reported by Niche). State test scores indicate that 76% of students are proficient in math and 70% in reading (as reported by Niche).
East Aurora High School, a public institution within the district, also holds a strong reputation with an overall Niche grade of A- (as reported by Niche). The high school has an enrollment of 529 students in grades 9-12, with a student-teacher ratio of 10 to 1 (as reported by Niche). State test scores show high proficiency rates, with 96% of students proficient in math and 98% in reading (as reported by Niche).
Demographics
As of recent data, East Aurora is home to approximately 5,993 residents (as reported by Data USA and Census Dots). The population is predominantly White, making up about 94.5% to 95.1% of the residents (as reported by Census Dots and Point2Homes). Other racial groups include Hispanic (around 2.9% to 3%), Multiracial (about 1.4% to 2%), and Black or African American (around 0.9%) (as reported by Census Dots and Point2Homes).
The median age in East Aurora is around 50 years (as reported by Point2Homes). The age distribution shows a significant portion of the population in older age brackets, with approximately 26.7% being 65 or older, and a substantial 29.7% falling between 45 and 64 years of age (as reported by Point2Homes). The village has a balanced gender distribution, with slightly more males at 50.2% compared to females at 49.8% (as reported by Point2Homes).
Household and Family Structure
East Aurora comprises about 2,515 households, with an average of two members per household (as reported by Point2Homes). A significant majority, 66.1%, of these households are families, while the remaining 33.9% consist of individuals living alone or with non-relatives (as reported by Point2Homes). The village has a high rate of citizenship, with 94.8% of its population being U.S.-born citizens and an additional 4.5% naturalized citizens (as reported by Point2Homes).
The poverty rate in East Aurora is reported to be low, with 3% of the population living below the poverty line (as reported by Niche). This suggests a generally stable economic environment for the majority of its residents. The community is also characterized by a high percentage of U.S. citizens, indicating a stable and established residential base.